Obstacle Mud Runner - issue 09

obstaclemudrunner.co.uk ForEliteAtheletes toFunRunners 34 FOOTWEAR : REVIEW neoprene and merino wool essential As inov-8 are the official OCR World Championships shoe we couldn’t wait to test their mettle. Elite obstacle racer Andrea Berquez was asked to trial this shoe whilst completing her World Championship training so please follow her on Instagram @andrea_berquez and watch her train with inov-8. She’s using the #berquezocrwcinov-8 As for me, well here’s a dozen things you might like to know. 1. I love the colour. Vibrant Teal is a great shade. 2. I was careful not to overdo the first wear. Second outing and they were absolutely fine. Needed that initial “wear in” short run though I think. 3. Excellent grip up and down hill. 4. Flexibility is as you’d expect from inov-8. 5. A nice well-supported heel which helps improved stability. 6. 4mm lugs are deep enough for a good grip on trails and not so deep they get clogged. 7. Multidirectional lugs allows for multidirectional grip, in my case, perfect for running away from the cows that stampeded as I ran along a public footpath. 8. Laces are standard tie up and appear to be more ‘non-slip’ than other laces I’ve used. (you’ll know what I mean by that when you try them.) 9. I’m normally a size 7, I went for a 7.5 in these, perfect fit. 10. Gusseted tongue means less dirt in your shoe. 11. inov-8 say there is 10% better shock absorption and 15% better energy return than standard midsoles, comparing to past models. That’s a bonus in my book. 12. They’ve been designed for speed and grip. I’d say they do exactly what it says on the box. Tried & Tested Here’s the techy bit. Fit Scale 4 Drop 4mm  Footbed 6mm POWER FOOTBED  Lug Depth 4mm  Midsole POWERFLOW  Midsole Stack 11mm / 7mm  Shank DFB  Sole Compound TRI-C STICKY  Product Weight 235g / 8.225oz And this is what the Fit Scale above means so if you’ve ever been in the predicament where you have either really narrow or really wide feet, here’s how to gauge which shoe will best fit YOU.  inov-8 SHOE FIT SCALE FITS NARROW 12345 FITS WIDE inov-8 have graded the fit of all their shoes from 1 to 5 to make it easy for you to find the perfect fitting shoe. All inov-8 shoes are designed with Met-Cradle technology to lock down the mid-foot for a stable hold. Where they differ is in the toe box. Grade 1 represents their closest, most precise fit. At the other end of the scale, Grade 5 has the widest fitting toe box. They have meticulously studied the foot and its function during the gait cycle and also the interaction between the foot and the terrain. inov-8 have used this knowledge to develop their fitting scale. For technical footwear a good fit is essential to enhance your performance. The lower the number on their scale, the narrower the fit, which ensures minimal internal movement of the foot when running fast on technical terrain. Shoes with the higher numbers on the scale will suit athletes with a wider foot and those wanting that extra comfort in the toe box. This wider toe box allows the toes to splay for increased stability when lifting heavy weights. It’s also perfect for longer runs and races when toes begin to swell. As a rough guide, Grade 1 represents an industry B fit, while Grade 5 equates to a 2E fit in the forefoot. Inov-8 Trailtalon 235 Is exactly as the name suggests, 235g. And to prove it, I weighed one of mine. So there you have it. Your full guide to buying the right inov-8 shoe.